Decompression-compensating instrument for ocular surgery, instrument for ocular surgery provided with the same and method of ocular surgery

Abstract

The present invention relates to a decompression-compensating instrument for use in intraocular surgery, wherein a perfusate is supplied to an affected part of an eye via a supply channel at a predetermined pressure, and the perfusate is aspirated via an aspiration channel together with the affected tissues that are to be removed, the decompression-compensating instrument supplying the perfusate into the affected part when the internal pressure of the affected part is excessively lowered, and being constructed so as to be connectable to a point midway along the supply channel and comprising a storage-member that forms a chamber that is closable except for an opening from which the perfusate to be supplied to the supply channel flows, the capacity of the storage member being 7 cm 3 to 22 cm 3 .

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An intraocular surgical apparatus comprising:
 a main body that can be held in a surgeon's hand, 
 the main body further comprising: 
 a pulverizing member that is attached at one end of the main body and that pulverizes a predetermined affected tissue; 
 an inlet channel that supplies perfusate to the vicinity of the pulverizing member; 
 an aspiration channel for aspirating the affected tissue that has been pulverized by the pulverizing member; and 
 a decompression-compensating instrument that is for use in intraocular surgery and is connected to a point midway along the inlet channel, the decompression-compensating instrument comnrising: 
 a storage member, having a capacity of 7 cm 3  to 22 cm 3 , connectable to a point midway along the supply channel, 
 wherein the storage member forms a chamber that is closable except for an opening from which the perfusate that is to be supplied to the supply channel flows; 
 the decompression-compensating instrument supplies the perfusate into the affected part when the internal pressure of the affected part is excessively lowered, the perfusate being supplied from the storage member, 
 whereby a rapid decrease in an inflow rate thereafter is prevented. 
 
     
     
       2. An intraocular surgical apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the decompression-compensating instrument is detachably mounted on the main body. 
     
     
       3. An intraocular surgical apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the storage member of the decompression-compensating instrument is composed of a tube having the opening at one end, the tube being wound around the main body. 
     
     
       4. An intraocular surgical apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the storage member of the decompression-compensating instrument is mounted on the distal end of the main body along the longitudinal direction of the main body. 
     
     
       5. An intraocular surgical apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the storage member of the decompression-compensating instrument is composed of a tube having the opening at one end, the tube being wound around the main body. 
     
     
       6. An intraocular surgical apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the storage member of the decompression-compensating instrument is mounted on the distal end of the main body along the longitudinal direction of the main body. 
     
     
       7. An intraocular surgical apparatus comprising
 a main body that can be held in a surgeon's hand, 
 the main body further comprising: 
 a pulverizing member that is attached at one end of the main body and that pulverizes a predetermined affected tissue; 
 an inlet channel that supplies perfusate to the vicinity of the pulverizing member; 
 an aspiration channel for aspirating the affected tissue that has been pulverized by the pulverizing member; and 
 a decompression-compensating instrument that is for use in intraocular surgery and is connected to a point midway along the inlet channel, the decompression-compensating instrument comprising:
 a storage member, having a capacity of 7 cm 3  to 22 cm 3 , connectable to a point midway along the supply channel. 
 wherein the storage member is composed of a tube that is closable except for an opening at one end from which the perfusate that is to be supplied to the supply channel flows; 
 the decompression-compensating instrument supplies the perfusate into the affected part when the internal pressure of the affected part is excessively lowered, the perfusate being supplied from the storage member, 
 whereby a rapid decrease in an inflow rate thereafter is prevented. 
 
 
     
     
       8. An intraocular surgical apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the decompression-compensating instrument is detachably mounted on the main body. 
     
     
       9. An intraocular surgical apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the storage member of the decompression-compensating instrument is composed of a tube having the opening at one end, the tube being wound around the main body. 
     
     
       10. An intraocular surgical apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the storage member of the decompression-compensating instrument is mounted on the other end of the main body along the longitudinal direction of the main body. 
     
     
       11. An intraocular surgical apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the storage member of the decompression-compensating instrument is composed of a tube having the opening at one end, the tube being wound around the main body. 
     
     
       12. An intraocular surgical apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the storage member of the decompression-compensating instrument is mounted on the distal end of the main body along the longitudinal direction of the main body. 
     
     
       13. A method for intraocular surgery, wherein a perfusate is supplied into an affected part of an eye via a supply channel at a predetermined pressure, while the perfusate is aspirated via an aspiration channel together with the affected tissue that is to be removed, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a decompression-compensating instrument for use in intraocular surgery, the decompression-compensating instrument comprising a storage member, having a capacity of 7 cm 3  to 22 cm 3 , connectable to a point midway along the supply channel, wherein the storage member forms a chamber that is closable except for an opening from which the perfusate that is to be supplied to the supply channel flows, and the decompression-compensating instrument supplies the perfusate into the affected part when the internal pressure of the affected part is excessively lowered, the perfusate being supplied from the storage member, whereby a rapid decrease in an inflow rate thereafter is prevented; 
 making the storage member and the supply channel communicate with each other via the opening by connecting the decompression-compensating instrument to a point midway along the supply channel, with air contained in the storage member; 
 supplying the perfusate to the supply channel, flowing the perfusate into the storage member via the supply tube, and containing the perfusate in the storage member under pressure of the air; and 
 supplying the perfusate into the affected part of the eye while aspirating the affected tissue from the eye together with the perfusate. 
 
     
     
       14. A method for intraocular surgery according to  claim 13 , wherein, when the intraocular pressure rapidly lowers, the perfusate stored in the storage member is supplied to the eye via the supply channel by the effect of the air pressure. 
     
     
       15. A method for intraocular surgery according to  claim 13 , wherein the storage member is composed of a tube having the opening at one end. 
     
     
       16. A method for intraocular surgery according to  claim 15 , wherein the inner diameter of the tube is not less than 1.1 times and not more than 1.7 times as large as the inner diameter of the supply channel in the portion upstream from the point to which the tube is connected. 
     
     
       17. A method for intraocular surgery according to  claim 15 , wherein the inner diameter of the tube is not smaller than 3.5 mm and not greater than 5.0 mm.